Tasbiya KhanSenior Executive
Top Fashion Design Colleges in India 2026: Ranking, Fees, Admission, Placements
India has 60+ top-ranked fashion design colleges, with a mix of private, government, and semi-government colleges under the India Today 2026 ranking. Pearl Academy, AAFT Noida, Symbiosis Institute of Design, NIFT Delhi, Army Institute of Fashion and Design, NIFT Mumbai, NIFT Bangalore, etc. are some of the best Fashion Designing colleges in India. NIFT (Chennai, Gandhinagar, Kolkata, and Patna) provide BDes and MDes programs in Fashion Designing course. Admissions are largely based on entrance exams like NIFT, CUET, UCEED, CEED, etc. Fashion Designing offers various courses like B.Des in Fashion Design, an MDes in Fashion Design, an MBA in Fashion Management, etc. Their graduates earn between INR 3 LPA to INR 9 LPA on average, with top offers going above INR 15 LPA from government institutes. Top recruiters include AND Design, Reliance Brands, H&M, Amazon, Zara, Myntra, and global fashion houses.
- Top Fashion Designing Colleges in India: Known Facts 2026
- Top Fashion Designing Colleges in India: India Today Ranking 2026
- Eligibility Criteria for Admission to Fashion Designing Colleges in India 2026
- Entrance Exams Accepted in India's Fashion Design Colleges 2026
- 4.1 Top Fashion Designing Colleges in India Accepting NIFT Entrance Exam 2026
- Top Private Fashion Design Colleges in India
- ROI of India's Private Fashion Design Colleges
- Low-cost Top Private Fashion Designing Colleges in India
- Top Government Fashion Designing Colleges in India
- Comparison of the Top Fashion Design Colleges in India 2026
Top Fashion Designing Colleges in India: Known Facts 2026
Fashion designing colleges like the NIFT, NID, and private reputed institutions such as Pearl Academy and Symbiosis Institute of Design are a part of India today. With top fashion designing colleges spread across India and located in prime cities, the best prospects are available in fields such as textile designing, accessory designing, fashion communication, etc. If you are interested in the above-mentioned features of the best fashion designing colleges in India for 2026, you can consider the following facts.
| Parameters |
Particulars |
|---|---|
| Total no. of Fashion Designing Colleges in India |
50+ colleges |
| Total no. of NIFTs in India |
19 (as of early 2026) |
| Top Fashion Design Institutes in India |
NIFT Delhi, AAFT Noida, NIFT Mumbai, NIFT Bangalore, NIFT Hyderabad, etc. |
| Fee range of top colleges |
~ INR 44,000 - `INR 35+ lakh |
| Top Fashion Design Specialisations offered in India |
Apparel Design, Textile Design, Jewellery Design, Knitwear Design, etc. |
| Accepted entrance exams | NIFT Exam, CUET, UCEED, etc. |
Top Fashion Designing Colleges in India: India Today Ranking 2026
The 2026 MDRA-India Today Best Colleges Ranking for Fashion Designing is largely dominated by the National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT) campuses with strong industry placements, infrastructure and high academic excellence. Here is the table showing top Fashion Design colleges in India with their rankings 2026 -
| Top Fashion Design Colleges in India | India Today 2026 Ranking |
|---|---|
| NIFT Delhi Ranking | 1 |
| NIFT Mumbai Ranking | 2 |
| NIFT Bangalore Ranking | 3 |
| NIFT Hyderabad Ranking | 4 |
| NIFT Chennai Ranking | 5 |
| NIFT Gandhinagar Ranking | 6 |
| NIFT Patna Ranking | 7 |
| NIFT Kolkata Ranking | 8 |
| NIFT Jodhpur Ranking | 9 |
| Pearl Academy Ranking | 10 |
Source: The rankings given above have been sourced from official India Today site and 2026 rankings have not yet been released.
Eligibility Criteria for Admission to Fashion Designing Colleges in India 2026
The best fashion colleges in India can be pursued at UG and PG levels. The general eligibility criteria to get admission to the top colleges are mentioned below -
- For admission to BDes programmes, candidates must complete their Class 12 boards in any stream with a minimum 50% aggregate marks and must clear an accepted entrance exams like NIFT exam, CUET, UCEED, etc.
- Similarly, for MDes course admission, they must have a BDes degree with a passing percentage.
Entrance Exams Accepted in India's Fashion Design Colleges 2026
Joining the top-ranked Fashion Design colleges in India will be based purely on entrance exam scores. Some of the accepted entrance exams are mentioned below with tuition fees and exam college predictor -
| Exam Name | Exam Schedule | Exam College Predictor |
|---|---|---|
| UCEED Exam | UCEED Schedule | UCEED College Predictor |
| NIFT Entrance Exam | NIFT Exam Schedule | NIFT College Predictor |
| NID Entrance Exam | NID Exam Schedule | NID College Predictor |
Top Fashion Designing Colleges in India Accepting NIFT Entrance Exam 2026
Candidates can see the table below for the top fashion Design colleges in India accepting NIFT score along with their top 20 Fashion Designing colleges in india with fees:
| College Names | Tuition Fee |
|---|---|
| NIFT Bangalore Admission | INR 12 lakh |
| NIFT Patna Admission | INR 12 lakh |
| NIFT Kolkata Admission | INR 12 lakh |
| NIFT Raebareli Admission | INR 12 lakh |
| NIFT Shillong Admission | INR 12 lakh |
Top Private Fashion Design Colleges in India
There are about 50+ private Fashion Design colleges in India ranked under India Today 2026. These are privately run either as deemed university or affiliated to a university. The fees are much higher than the government colleges. Here is the table below, which reveals some of the top private colleges' fees & India Today Ranking 2026-
| Private Colleges |
Total Tuition Fee |
India Today Ranking 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| INR 13.2 lakh - INR 35.3 lakh |
10 |
|
| INR 7.7 lakh - INR 20 lakh |
12 |
|
| INR 6.12 lakh |
16 |
|
| INR 2.9 lakh - INR 11.8 lakh |
17 |
|
| INR 2.8 lakh - INR 30 lakh |
18 |
|
| INR 12.8 lakh - INR 56 lakh |
19 |
|
| INR 12 lakh - INR 16 lakh |
21 | |
| INR 8.1 lakh - INR 16.1 lakh |
22 | |
| Amity University Mumbai Fashion Design Courses | INR 12.32 lakh | 23 |
| Manipal Academy of Higher Education Fashion Design Courses | INR 5.50 lakh | 24 |
NOTE: Fees are taken from the official college site and can change.
ROI of India's Private Fashion Design Colleges
Joining the best private Fashion Designing colleges in India may have an impact on candidates as certain colleges like Dr. D.Y. Patil Arts, Commerce and Science College, Sardar Patel Mahavidyalaya, Chandrapur have less tuition fees and they have good placement packages thus appropriate for candidates to opt private colleges. Candidates can check the ROI of each college by comparing tuition fees and average median salaries -
| College Names |
Total Tuition Fee |
Median Salary Package |
|---|---|---|
| Dr. D.Y. Patil Arts, Commerce and Science College Placements | INR 1.61 lakh | INR 4.50 LPA |
| AAFT Noida Placements | INR 8.82 lakh | INR 10 LPA |
| Sardar Patel Mahavidyalaya, Chandrapur Placements | INR 68,694 | INR 3.27 LPA |
| JECRC University Placements | INR 4.86 lakh | INR 4.58 LPA |
| Indian Institute of Fashion Technology Placements | INR 4.70 lakh | INR 2.70 lakh |
| Poornima University Placements | INR 3 lakh | INR 3.60 LPA |
NOTE: Fees are sourced from official college website and may vary.
Low-cost Top Private Fashion Designing Colleges in India
Generally, private colleges are more expensive than government colleges. However, there are some affordable colleges are also available. Check the table below for some of the affordable private best fashion designing colleges in India with fees.
| Low-cost Colleges | Tuition Fee |
|---|---|
| Bon Secours College For Women Fees | INR 44,000 |
| Sardar Patel Mahavidyalaya, Chandrapur Fees | INR 28,900 - INR 68,700 |
| Rathinam College of Arts and Science Fees | INR 1.80 lakh |
| Hindustan Institute of Technology and Science Fees | INR 1.95 lakh |
| Punjab College of Technical Education Fees | INR 1.79 lakh |
NOTE: Fees are sourced from official college website and may vary.
Top Government Fashion Designing Colleges in India
Top government fashion designing colleges in india are primarily NIFT and NID colleges, which are considered as top institutions with very good placement opportunities and very cheaper education than private institutes. Top campuses are NIFT Delhi, NIFT Mumbai, NIFT Bengaluru and NID Ahmedabad. Some of the government top Fashion colleges in India, with tuition fees, are mentioned below with India Today ranking 2026 -
| Public/Government Colleges |
Total Tuition Fee |
India Today Ranking 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| INR 6 lakh - INR 13 lakh |
1 |
|
| INR 5.6 lakh - INR 13 lakh |
2 | |
| INR 5.6 lakh - INR 13 lakh |
3 | |
| INR 6 lakh - INR 13 lakh |
4 | |
| INR 5.9 lakh - INR 13 lakh |
5 |
NOTE: Fees are sourced from official college website and may vary.
Comparison of the Top Fashion Design Colleges in India 2026
To check the comparison of the best colleges for fashion designing in India, click on the links below.
Commonly asked questions On Top Fashion Design Colleges in India 2026: Ranking, Fees, Admission, Placements
As per India Today rankings 2026, NIFT Delhi emerged to be as the No. 1 Fashion Design college in India followed by other colleges. Listed below are some of the colleges along with their India Today rankings 2026:
| Top Fashion Design Colleges in India | India Today 2026 Ranking |
|---|---|
| NIFT Delhi Ranking | 1 |
| NIFT Mumbai Ranking | 2 |
| NIFT Bangalore Ranking | 3 |
| NIFT Hyderabad Ranking | 4 |
| NIFT Chennai Ranking | 5 |
| NIFT Gandhinagar Ranking | 6 |
| NIFT Patna Ranking | 7 |
| NIFT Kolkata Ranking | 8 |
| NIFT Jodhpur Ranking | 9 |
| Pearl Academy Ranking | 10 |
Source: Official site and may vary.
Top private fashion design colleges in India offer programs in design, technology, and management, often requiring entrance exams like Pearl Academy Entrance Exam, NIFT, or NID scores for admission.
Some of the top private colleges are mentioned below with fees and ranking -
Private Colleges | Total Tuition Fee | India Today Ranking 2026 |
|---|---|---|
INR 13.2 lakh - INR 35.3 lakh | 10 | |
INR 7.7 lakh - INR 20 lakh | 12 | |
INR 6.12 lakh | 16 | |
INR 2.9 lakh - INR 11.8 lakh | 17 | |
INR 2.8 lakh - INR 30 lakh | 18 | |
INR 12.8 lakh - INR 56 lakh | 19 | |
INR 12 lakh - INR 16 lakh | 21 | |
INR 8.1 lakh - INR 16.1 lakh | 22 | |
| Amity University Mumbai Fashion Design Courses | INR 12.32 lakh | 23 |
| Manipal Academy of Higher Education Fashion Design Courses | INR 5.50 lakh | 24 |
Source: Official site and may vary.
Candidates can see the table below or the top NIFT accepting Fashion Designing colleges in India with tuition fees -
| College Names | Tuition Fee |
|---|---|
| NIFT Bangalore Admission | INR 12 lakh |
| NIFT Patna Admission | INR 12 lakh |
| NIFT Kolkata Admission | INR 12 lakh |
| NIFT Raebareli Admission | INR 12 lakh |
| NIFT Shillong Admission | INR 12 lakh |
Source: Official site and may vary.
About 50+ top Fashion Design colleges in India. Of these, 36 colleges are privately owned and 15 colleges are owned by public/government organisations. Some of the best Fashion Design colleges in India include NIFT Delhi, NIFT Mumbai, NIFT Bangalore, NIFT Hyderabad. NIFT Chennai, Whistling Woods International, NIFT Gandhinagar, NIFT Kolkata, NIFT Patna, Pearl Academy, NIFT Jodhpur, etc.
Students can secure admission after passing their Class 12 boards or through entrance exams like NIFT Entrance Exam, Pearl Academy Entrance exam, etc.
National Institute of Fashion Technology, Patna
National Institute of Fashion Technology, Gandhinagar
National Institute of Fashion Technology, Jodhpur
National Institute of Fashion Technology, Kannur
Symbiosis Institute of Design, Symbiosis International, Pune
Commonly asked questions On Top Fashion Design Colleges in India 2026: Ranking, Fees, Admission, Placements
NIFT isn't the only solid option if you want quality fashion education in India. National Institute of Design also offers excellent textile and apparel design courses, while Pearl Academy is known for its global collaborations and practical approach. Symbiosis Institute of Design and Footwear Design & Development Institute also offer specialised programs beyond just clothing. So there are strong alternatives if NIFT doesn't work out.
Yes, there are many top ranked government fashion Designing colleges in India. Some of them are mentioned below along with their tuition fees and India Today ranking 2026:
Public/Government Colleges | Total Tuition Fee | India Today Ranking 2026 |
|---|---|---|
INR 6 lakh - INR 13 lakh | 1 | |
INR 5.6 lakh - INR 13 lakh | 2 | |
INR 5.6 lakh - INR 13 lakh | 3 | |
INR 6 lakh - INR 13 lakh | 4 | |
INR 5.9 lakh - INR 13 lakh | 5 |
Source: Official site and may vary.
This is one of the most debated questions among fashion design aspirants in India. NIFT is a government institute with lower fees, stronger brand value, and a more competitive admission process.
Pearl Academy on the other hand, is a private college with more flexible admission criteria, modern infrastructure, and strong industry tie-ups. If you can crack the NIFT entrance exam, it is the better choice for most students. But if NIFT does not work out, Pearl Academy is a solid backup that still gives you good industry exposure and placement opportunities.
Career options after fashion design are honestly wider than just being a designer. Graduates commonly work in apparel and textile industries, luxury fashion houses, and creative direction roles. Many also move into merchandising, retail, and brand management side of the industry. So there's flexibility beyond traditional "designer" job titles.
National Institute of Fashion Technology, Shillong
National Institute of Fashion Technology, Raebareli
Amity School of Fashion Technology, Amity University, Noida
Amity University, Mumbai
Manipal Academy of Higher Education
Amity University, Lucknow
Maharshi Karve Stree Shikshan Samstha's School of Fashion Technology
Amity University, Gurugram
School of Design, Presidency University, Bangalore
Faculty of Art and Design, M.S. Ramaiah University of Applied Sciences
PSG College of Arts and Science - PSGCAS
Commonly asked questions On Top Fashion Design Colleges in India 2026: Ranking, Fees, Admission, Placements
Here are some of the Top Fashion Design Courses offered by the top vendors -
- Designing Fashion: Design, Science and Value in a Sustainable Clothing Industry by edX
- Designing and Creating Trousers by edX
- Designing0 in Fashion Design by Alison
- Fashion Design by Coursera
- Digital Fashion Reality by Coursera
- Fashion as Design by Coursera
- Digital Fashion Mindset by Coursera
BDes is one of the most popular courses of Pearl Academy Jaipur if considering the placement opportunities. The course-wise placement details are yet to be released on the official website. Meanwhle, check out the key highlights of Pearl Academy Jaipur placements for the Class of 2025 in the table below:
Particulars | Placement Statistics (2025) |
|---|---|
Placement rate | 99% |
the highest package | INR 26 LPA |
The percentage of students placed is not disclosed on the official website of SID Pune. However, the students have revealed that a 100% placement rate is achieved in the recent placements. The table below mentions the Symbiosis Institute of Design placement rate for reference:
| Particulars | Placement Statistics |
|---|---|
| Placement rate | 100% |
NOTE: The above details are collated from Shiksha students' reviews.
Joining top fashion design colleges in India is expensive as most colleges have tuition fees of more than INR 5 lakh. However, there are some affordable colleges also which are mentioned below along with their tuition fees:
| Low-cost Colleges | Tuition Fee |
|---|---|
| Bon Secours College For Women Fees | INR 44,000 |
| Sardar Patel Mahavidyalaya, Chandrapur Fees | INR 69,000 |
| Punjab College of Technical Education Fees | INR 93,000 |
| Rathinam College of Arts and Science Fees | INR 1.80 lakh |
| Hans Raj Mahila Maha Vidyalaya Fees | INR 1.60 lakh |
Source: Official site and may vary.